Grief has gripped the Marchand community after a deadly weekend of gun violence left three people dead, including 64-year-old former reserve police officer Pearl Ramsay, and another individual hospitalized.
The violence unfolded over the Mother’s Day weekend, prompting fear among residents, some of whom say they are now afraid to leave their homes or send their children to school.
According to information released by the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, Ramsay was among two victims shot during an incident in the Marchand Boulevard area on Saturday evening.
She was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim, later identified as 34-year-old Sheston Duncan of Black Mallet, Marchand, was transported to the Owen King European Hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
Police also launched investigations into another shooting in Marchand on Sunday afternoon, in which a male victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to hospital in critical condition.
Speaking anonymously, Ramsay’s son recounted the traumatic moments following the shooting.
“Yeah, well actually I was home and I heard the gunshots and I didn’t even realize my mother was on the ground,” he said. “When I came outside my house, I saw one individual on the ground. As I passed him to go to my mother’s home to check on her, a guy called me and told me, well, look my mother on the ground.”
He said the reality of what had happened was difficult to process.
“So I still find it impossible, like looking to go to her home and see her, because she fell right by her home…When I went there, I saw my mother lying there, lifelessly.”
Despite the devastating loss, he said his faith has helped him endure the ordeal.
“Yeah, well, actually, I feel like I was just losing my brains at the moment, but I realized I was stronger than that. I already gave my life to Christ, so I just consider, I just have to pray and just let life take its course.”
Residents described Ramsay as a familiar and respected figure in the community. One resident of George Charles Boulevard said the pair had made plans just hours before the tragedy.
“Well, Ms. Ramsay, I spoke to her. We said we’d all go to church, and then from church we’d all go Nashville and Dance Western,” the resident recalled. “And I don’t know the lady passed away. It’s yesterday morning I get in to know she passed away.”
The resident said a friend later confirmed the news while passing through the area.
“From a friend of mine that come, I going down, and he coming up, he telling me about the lady, and then that’s how I got to know she passed away.”
Another resident expressed frustration over the continued violence affecting the area.
“That’s not nice. I’d rather they make money, go for a work, and let everybody be one. Understand? Because this is making no sense,” the resident said. “To see, that one die and that one die and that one die. It’s not good. That’s all I can say.”
The latest killings have pushed Saint Lucia’s homicide count to 30 for the year.